Almost simultaneously with the announcement of J. Arthur Boast’s marriage was the discovery that Bertha Allen was the heiress of all the vast possessions of the murdered mine owner. Rufus Grims attorney became Arthur Boast’s trusted adviser. Work in the great Peacock mine continued, and within a week J. Arthur Boast was in control of affairs; indeed, he seemed a changed [224] man. His responsibilities seemed to subdue without irritating him. The people were quick to discover new elements of strength in the controller of the Peacock, and vied with each other in giving him encouragement. Work on Gray Rocks had not been progressing so smoothly. Old Colonel Bonifield, fired with the enthusiasm of a Ponce de Leon, believed the forty odd men employed in cross-cutting the drift shaft from the 500 foot level would remain with him, although his finances were exhausted. It was on Saturday night that he called his men about him and explained his temporary embarrassments. 8232 He paid them off in full, and assured them that three or four more days’ work with their united assistance, was all that was necessary to reach the gold he had been looking for so many weary years, and expressed confidence, in his chivalrous way, that all his employes would report the next Monday morning for work, and stay with him until the drift was finished. The following Monday morning, however, found but a half dozen men reporting for work, much to Colonel Bonifield’s surprise and disappointment. The old Colonel went into the mine with his faithful adherents, and encouraged them by his undaunted energy. What could have been accomplished by forty men in the space of three days, would require fifteen or twenty days with his half dozen assistants. They lessened the size of the drift shaft, however, and this would make quite a saving of time. Throughout the week, the Colonel, with his handful of assistants, labored incessantly. When the next Monday morning came around, he found that only three reported for duty. This was indeed discouraging, but with a determination that knew no brooking, he went on. Two days later, [225] his three assistants advised him that their families were in want of the necessities of life, and while they still had unbounded faith in Gray Rocks, yet they owed a duty to their families first and before all else, and could not remain with him any longer. After this, the engineer and fireman took turns in helping the Colonel. One man remaining in the engine room performed the work of both. After a couple of days of monotonous drilling and blasting, the Colonel one evening told Louise of his great discouragement. “My deah daughter,” said the Colonel, “they have all dese’ted me; I am left alone to finish the work in the mine as best I can. It’s pow’ful humiliatin’ to be dese’ted just when I am reachin’ fo’ the last round in the laddeh.” Louise had slipped her arms around his neck while he was speaking.